Kelly Ripa's Co Host of 'Live!' to be Announced: Anderson Cooper is Ripa's Top Pick [VIDEO]

Kelly Ripa and Regis Philbin were long time co-hosts on "Live! With Regis and Kelly". When Regis retired from the show in November 2011 a teary eyed Ripa said goodbye to his legacy.

Since then, she has had 59 co-hosts including, Anderson Cooper, Neil Patrick Harris, Nick Lachey, Jerry Seinfeld, Seth Meyers, Jerry O'Connell, Cat Deeley and Kim Kardashian. With only a few weeks to go before Ripa announces a final choice, she has hinted that her dream co-host would be Anderson Cooper.

Though it's unlikely that Anderson will be Ripa's next co-host due to his already demanding schedule, she still isn't shy about her adoration for the journalist.

Ripa said to US Weekly, "We have a connection like nobody else. I worship him!"

Cooper is on to Season 2 of his talk show, "Anderson Live" and is host to his show on CNN "Anderson Cooper 360°."

Anderson and Ripa are already pals, with the duo taking photos together posted by Ripa on Instagram of the duo on vacation with Ripa's husband Mark Conseulos and Bravo's Andy Cohen in Croatia.

Cooper has been in the press a lot himself and not just for his journalistic duties, but because his boyfriend Ben Maisani was photographed kissing another man.

Ripa's choice for co-host is a big one, especially having to replace the legend Regis Philbin. Rumors were that Seth Meyers would be a contender for the spot, but he squashed those rumors when he said to the Orlando Sentinel, "No, no, no, no, no... I know [Philbin's replacement] is a very important thing down there. But, right now, what I would say to you: I'm really in love with the job I have. I'm very excited to be going back [to "Saturday Night Live"] for the election season, which is always fun."